Your Impact & Dollars at Work

A letter from Dr. Tak Mak

The 2019 Rexall™ One Walk to Conquer Cancer™ will be the event’s 17th year, marking a historic point in the journey. I remember the first Walk like it was yesterday: the passion that I saw in the Walkers’ faces as I greeted them at the finish line. I was so grateful for all their accomplishments, especially their fundraising efforts to support the work at Princess Margaret Cancer Centre. Together we have accomplished so much – like the expansion of the first in-hospital survivorship program that is now accessible to all patients at our Cancer Centre.

Over a decade ago, my scientific discovery team began the journey to find new targets and today, we have several novel therapies and new drugs we have developed that have moved into clinical trials. To accomplish this, we created a new Therapeutics Group within the Campbell Family Institute at Princess Margaret Cancer Centre.

Another major accomplishment has been the creation of the Tumor Immunotherapy Program, supported by our Walkers. Co-Directors, Drs. Lillian Siu and Pam Ohashi, lead this work in Immunotherapy. Today, it is one of the biggest breakthroughs in the past decade and we believe it has the potential to revolutionize cancer therapy, as the fourth pillar of cancer treatment in addition to surgery, radiation and chemotherapy. We now have over 180 active clinical trials underway, including Canada’s first gene-engineered T-cell trial. The Princess Margaret, in part due to the Walker community, now boasts Canada’s most comprehensive immunotherapy program. This work could be effective on a number of different types of cancer and even some of the more difficult to treat today. This critical research is made possible in part by donations received from more than 68,000 participants over 16 years who have Walked the Walk! Because of OneWalk, we are advancing cancer research. Learn more about this revolutionary immunotherapy program at The Princess Margaret by clicking here.

As we continue on our journey, progress is being made. We understand so much more today than when I started my career in the 70’s. We are in an era of genomic discovery and uncovering insights that have eluded researchers in previous decades. We now know that there are many forms of cancer, within the same type, and that some forms of one cancer are more related to another. We are discovering new cancer targets and from that, new targeted therapies.

I encourage you to Walk in the Rexall OneWalk to Conquer Cancer to allow me and my fellow researchers to continue our work. I share your passion and your dream that one day we will conquer cancer. And while the team at Princess Margaret Cancer Centre is committed to making that dream a reality, we can’t do it alone. That’s why I hope to see you on the 2019 Walk – and don’t hesitate to introduce yourself to me!

About Cancer In Canada

Cancer is the second-leading cause of death worldwide. The International Agency for Research on Cancer estimates that one-in-five men and one-in-six women worldwide will develop cancer over the course of their lifetime, and that one-in-eight men and one-in eleven women will die from their disease.

Every year on February 4, individuals across the world come together for World Cancer Day to change that. On this day, individuals are empowered to show support, raise awareness and take action against the disease.

Follow #WorldCancerDay to join the conversation and learn more about the international movement.

In Canada, cancer is responsible for over 30 percent of all deaths in the country.

DOLLARS AT WORK

Dollars at Work

The Rexall OneWalk to Conquer Cancer (formerly known as The Weekend to Women’s Cancers) has made an enormous impact on the work of the Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, as highlighted below. As we walk in the Rexall OneWalk to Conquer Cancer, the funds we raise will support world- leading research, new clinical and technological innovations, and the continuation of the important patient Survivorship program.

Research

$54.7 million to The Campbell Family Institute for Breast Cancer Research led by Tak Mak, with 7 Principal Investigators 3 Affiliate Scientists, 1 Emeritus Scientist, and 112 staff.

Tak Mak and his team of researchers from The Campbell Family Research Institute announced a new “sharpshooter” cancer drug that will target an enzyme called PLK4, which plays a crucial role in the process of cancer cell division. On July 18, 2013 Dr. Mak and his team gained clearance by Health Canada to proceed with the drug into Phase I Clinical Trial in Canada.*

Scientists led by Drs. Mona Gauthier and Tak Mak have discovered how BRCA1 gene mutations specifically predispose women to breast and ovarian

Pamela Ohashi’s research into T-cell activation and boosting the immune system to fight tumors. Her work focuses on understanding the signaling pathways of T-cells to help activate, direct and enhance anti-tumor responses in cancer. Clinical trial of her team’s adoptive cell therapy began in the Fall of 2013. Dr. Pamela Ohashi’s research into T-cell activation and immunotherapy to fight breast tumours, is part of The Campbell Family Institute funding.

$8.7 million to purchase cutting edge research equipment and support breast cancer research activities in the PMH research expansion at MaRS (Medical and Related Science), including immunotherapy and stem cell biology.

$3 million to create The Weekend to End Breast Cancer Chair in Breast Cancer Research, held by Dr. Tak Mak, a world renowned cancer research scientist.

$1.5 million to the Walker Innovation Program, which supports researchers and new ideas that have the potential for advancing scientific knowledge of breast

$2.1 million to support Dr. Norman Boyd’s research into breast cancer prevention, focusing on the understanding of mammographic density as a risk factor.

$1.8 million to support Mass Spectrometer program

$500,000 to support research at The Campbell Family Cancer Research Institute for equipment, lab expenses, research and staff related expenses and research operations.

Clinical Enhancements

$3.9 million toward a comprehensive breast imaging program and the purchase of a breast MRI and digital mammography

$2.9 million to support clinical trials for breast cancer and $500,000 for fellowship program

$2 million to support an extensive Tumour Bank, database maintenance and pathology

$1.3 million to support Dr. David McCready’s rapid diagnosis pilot study, which is now The Gattuso Rapid Diagnostic Centre and sees up to 1,500 patients a

$550,000 to support the clinical trial of intraoperative radiation therapy, led by David McCready and Dr. Anthony Fyles.

$250,000 toward the design and creation of the new Conway Chemotherapy and Transfusion Centre, the largest centre of its kind in North Am

$1.2 million to support the surgical robotics program for gynecologic cancer patients.

$160,000 toward the Familial Ovarian Cancer Clinic, which now also provides genetic counselling for breast cancer

$6.6 million for other clinical enhancements and other research programs

$2.5 million to support Princess Margaret’s Space Transformation which is a multi-phase project that will create a transformative environment for Personalized Cancer

$130,000 towards grant matching program

Survivorship

$11.8 million for the establishment and continued support of the first in-hospital Survivorship Clinic and Program in Canada. This includes ELLICSR, a 12,000-square-foot innovative research centre, and caringvoices.ca, an award-winning online community for survivors and their

$1 million to provide reconstructive breast surgery for women who have had breast cancer.

*New cancer drug development is a long and risk-filled process. We are very encouraged by this discovery and reaching this major milestone. The drug discovery from Dr. Tak Mak and Dr. Dennis Slamon announced by The Princess Margaret Cancer Foundation in June 2013 has been cleared by Health Canada and the University Health Network Research Ethics Board, and is in clinical trials. For more information please visit www.canadiancancertrials.ca.

2018

Since 2003, more than $172 million raised by Walk participants have supported vital cancer research and clinical trials to deliver future care now at Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, one of the top 5 cancer research centres in the world.

Breast cancer researchers have mapped early genetic alterations in normal-looking cells at various distances from primary tumours to show how changes along the lining of mammary ducts can lead to disease.

DOLLARS AT WORK

Dollars at Work

The Rexall OneWalk to Conquer Cancer (formerly known as The Weekend to Women’s Cancers) has made an enormous impact on the work of the Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, as highlighted below. As we walk in the Rexall OneWalk to Conquer Cancer, the funds we raise will support world- leading research, new clinical and technological innovations, and the continuation of the important patient Survivorship program.

Research

$54.7 million to The Campbell Family Institute for Breast Cancer Research led by Tak Mak, with 7 Principal Investigators 3 Affiliate Scientists, 1 Emeritus Scientist, and 112 staff.

Tak Mak and his team of researchers from The Campbell Family Research Institute announced a new “sharpshooter” cancer drug that will target an enzyme called PLK4, which plays a crucial role in the process of cancer cell division. On July 18, 2013 Dr. Mak and his team gained clearance by Health Canada to proceed with the drug into Phase I Clinical Trial in Canada.*

Scientists led by Drs. Mona Gauthier and Tak Mak have discovered how BRCA1 gene mutations specifically predispose women to breast and ovarian

Pamela Ohashi’s research into T-cell activation and boosting the immune system to fight tumors. Her work focuses on understanding the signaling pathways of T-cells to help activate, direct and enhance anti-tumor responses in cancer. Clinical trial of her team’s adoptive cell therapy began in the Fall of 2013. Dr. Pamela Ohashi’s research into T-cell activation and immunotherapy to fight breast tumours, is part of The Campbell Family Institute funding.

$8.7 million to purchase cutting edge research equipment and support breast cancer research activities in the PMH research expansion at MaRS (Medical and Related Science), including immunotherapy and stem cell biology.

$3 million to create The Weekend to End Breast Cancer Chair in Breast Cancer Research, held by Dr. Tak Mak, a world renowned cancer research scientist.

$1.5 million to the Walker Innovation Program, which supports researchers and new ideas that have the potential for advancing scientific knowledge of breast

$2.1 million to support Dr. Norman Boyd’s research into breast cancer prevention, focusing on the understanding of mammographic density as a risk factor.

$1.8 million to support Mass Spectrometer program

$500,000 to support research at The Campbell Family Cancer Research Institute for equipment, lab expenses, research and staff related expenses and research operations.

Clinical Enhancements

$3.9 million toward a comprehensive breast imaging program and the purchase of a breast MRI and digital mammography

$2.9 million to support clinical trials for breast cancer and $500,000 for fellowship program

$2 million to support an extensive Tumour Bank, database maintenance and pathology

$1.3 million to support Dr. David McCready’s rapid diagnosis pilot study, which is now The Gattuso Rapid Diagnostic Centre and sees up to 1,500 patients a

$550,000 to support the clinical trial of intraoperative radiation therapy, led by David McCready and Dr. Anthony Fyles.

$250,000 toward the design and creation of the new Conway Chemotherapy and Transfusion Centre, the largest centre of its kind in North Am

$1.2 million to support the surgical robotics program for gynecologic cancer patients.

$160,000 toward the Familial Ovarian Cancer Clinic, which now also provides genetic counselling for breast cancer

$6.6 million for other clinical enhancements and other research programs

$2.5 million to support Princess Margaret’s Space Transformation which is a multi-phase project that will create a transformative environment for Personalized Cancer

$130,000 towards grant matching program

Survivorship

$11.8 million for the establishment and continued support of the first in-hospital Survivorship Clinic and Program in Canada. This includes ELLICSR, a 12,000-square-foot innovative research centre, and caringvoices.ca, an award-winning online community for survivors and their

$1 million to provide reconstructive breast surgery for women who have had breast cancer.

*New cancer drug development is a long and risk-filled process. We are very encouraged by this discovery and reaching this major milestone. The drug discovery from Dr. Tak Mak and Dr. Dennis Slamon announced by The Princess Margaret Cancer Foundation in June 2013 has been cleared by Health Canada and the University Health Network Research Ethics Board, and is in clinical trials. For more information please visit www.canadiancancertrials.ca.

Within the international scientific community, it has been long understood that the immune system has the ability to conquer cancer. We’re now at a point where this knowledge has started to become translated into treatment possibilities for cancer patients.

This critical research is made possible in part by donations received from more than 68,000 participants over 16 years who have Walked the Walk! Because of OneWalk, we are advancing cancer research. Learn more about this revolutionary immunotherapy program at The Princess Margaret by clicking here.

Since 2003, more than $172 million raised by Walk participants have supported vital cancer research and clinical trials to deliver future care now at Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, one of the top 5 cancer research centres in the world.

Breast cancer researchers have mapped early genetic alterations in normal-looking cells at various distances from primary tumours to show how changes along the lining of mammary ducts can lead to disease.

DOLLARS AT WORK

Dollars at Work

The Rexall OneWalk to Conquer Cancer (formerly known as The Weekend to Women’s Cancers) has made an enormous impact on the work of the Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, as highlighted below. As we walk in the Rexall OneWalk to Conquer Cancer, the funds we raise will support world- leading research, new clinical and technological innovations, and the continuation of the important patient Survivorship program.

Research

$54.7 million to The Campbell Family Institute for Breast Cancer Research led by Tak Mak, with 7 Principal Investigators 3 Affiliate Scientists, 1 Emeritus Scientist, and 112 staff.

Tak Mak and his team of researchers from The Campbell Family Research Institute announced a new “sharpshooter” cancer drug that will target an enzyme called PLK4, which plays a crucial role in the process of cancer cell division. On July 18, 2013 Dr. Mak and his team gained clearance by Health Canada to proceed with the drug into Phase I Clinical Trial in Canada.*

Scientists led by Drs. Mona Gauthier and Tak Mak have discovered how BRCA1 gene mutations specifically predispose women to breast and ovarian

Pamela Ohashi’s research into T-cell activation and boosting the immune system to fight tumors. Her work focuses on understanding the signaling pathways of T-cells to help activate, direct and enhance anti-tumor responses in cancer. Clinical trial of her team’s adoptive cell therapy began in the Fall of 2013. Dr. Pamela Ohashi’s research into T-cell activation and immunotherapy to fight breast tumours, is part of The Campbell Family Institute funding.

$8.7 million to purchase cutting edge research equipment and support breast cancer research activities in the PMH research expansion at MaRS (Medical and Related Science), including immunotherapy and stem cell biology.

$3 million to create The Weekend to End Breast Cancer Chair in Breast Cancer Research, held by Dr. Tak Mak, a world renowned cancer research scientist.

$1.5 million to the Walker Innovation Program, which supports researchers and new ideas that have the potential for advancing scientific knowledge of breast

$2.1 million to support Dr. Norman Boyd’s research into breast cancer prevention, focusing on the understanding of mammographic density as a risk factor.

$1.8 million to support Mass Spectrometer program

$500,000 to support research at The Campbell Family Cancer Research Institute for equipment, lab expenses, research and staff related expenses and research operations.

Clinical Enhancements

$3.9 million toward a comprehensive breast imaging program and the purchase of a breast MRI and digital mammography

$2.9 million to support clinical trials for breast cancer and $500,000 for fellowship program

$2 million to support an extensive Tumour Bank, database maintenance and pathology

$1.3 million to support Dr. David McCready’s rapid diagnosis pilot study, which is now The Gattuso Rapid Diagnostic Centre and sees up to 1,500 patients a

$550,000 to support the clinical trial of intraoperative radiation therapy, led by David McCready and Dr. Anthony Fyles.

$250,000 toward the design and creation of the new Conway Chemotherapy and Transfusion Centre, the largest centre of its kind in North Am

$1.2 million to support the surgical robotics program for gynecologic cancer patients.

$160,000 toward the Familial Ovarian Cancer Clinic, which now also provides genetic counselling for breast cancer

$6.6 million for other clinical enhancements and other research programs

$2.5 million to support Princess Margaret’s Space Transformation which is a multi-phase project that will create a transformative environment for Personalized Cancer

$130,000 towards grant matching program

Survivorship

$11.8 million for the establishment and continued support of the first in-hospital Survivorship Clinic and Program in Canada. This includes ELLICSR, a 12,000-square-foot innovative research centre, and caringvoices.ca, an award-winning online community for survivors and their

$1 million to provide reconstructive breast surgery for women who have had breast cancer.

*New cancer drug development is a long and risk-filled process. We are very encouraged by this discovery and reaching this major milestone. The drug discovery from Dr. Tak Mak and Dr. Dennis Slamon announced by The Princess Margaret Cancer Foundation in June 2013 has been cleared by Health Canada and the University Health Network Research Ethics Board, and is in clinical trials. For more information please visit www.canadiancancertrials.ca.

What is Personalized Cancer Medicine?

At The Princess Margaret, we lead the way in Personalized Cancer Medicine, a new integrated approach to cancer treatment. Nearly one in two people will be diagnosed with cancer. And every individual’s cancer is unique.

A patient’s genetic information is used to more precisely diagnose their cancer and provide the most effective treatment. At Princess Margaret, one of the top 5 cancer centres in the world, we have always focused on the individual needs of each patient and not just their disease.

Achievements:

Award-winning clinical programs to assist patients and families.

Recruited highly skilled physicians and scientists who have the expertise to lead research projects and clinical studies that improve the standard of care for patients.

Built integrated teams of engineers, bioinformatics specialists and medicinal chemists. These teams are translating new technology and discoveries into improved therapies that will help more patients sooner.

DETECTING CANCER EARLIER

If cancer is detected at an early stage, the prognosis for a complete remission is much improved. Our research teams are working on many early detection initiatives, including:

Developing and testing better imaging equipment so small tumours can be seen more clearly.

Identifying unique ‘markers’ of cancers that can be detected in blood and serum tests.

DIAGNOSING WITH MORE PRECISION

New equipment and procedures that determine the specific genetic mutations or changes, giving rise to patient cancer, are being tested at The Princess Margaret. This information will enable the experts to recommend the optimal combination of drug and other therapies for successfully treating each patient.

TARGETING TREATMENT FOR EACH PATIENT

Improved surgical, radiation and drug treatments will target only cancerous cells, leaving healthy tissue alone while also minimizing toxic side effects. Our scientists and doctors are testing new treatments that can more effectively detect and eradicate cancer cells, leading to more durable cures.

SUPPORTING PATIENTS AND FAMILIES THROUGHOUT THEIR CANCER JOURNEY

Being well informed about their respective disease and the treatment they will receive, in addition to its side effects, will give patients and their families more confidence, reduce anxiety and lead to improved quality of life. Our award-winning survivorship, patient education and psychosocial support programs need to be expanded so that more patients are able to be empowered throughout their personal cancer journey.

Our strong, innovative culture has made this Cancer Centre a world leader in research and treatment. With your continued support of OneWalk to Conquer Cancer, we can continue to lead the way in Personalized Cancer Medicine.

Within the international scientific community, it has been long understood that the immune system has the ability to conquer cancer. We’re now at a point where this knowledge has started to become translated into treatment possibilities for cancer patients.

This critical research is made possible in part by donations received from more than 68,000 participants over 16 years who have Walked the Walk! Because of OneWalk, we are advancing cancer research. Learn more about this revolutionary immunotherapy program at The Princess Margaret by clicking here.

PRINCESS MARGARET CANCER CENTRE TOURS

Interested in learning more about the true impact of your fundraising dollars within one of the top 5 cancer research centres in the world? Princess Margaret Cancer Centre invites you for an up-close look through its OneWalk Insider tour.

What Is The OneWalk Insider Tour?

A free hour-and-a-half tour and presentation that allows you to see and hear the impact that your fundraising dollars are having at The Princess Margaret.

The chance to view its world-class radiation centre, key researcher labs, new research tower, surgical suite and/or a clinical area of interest (pending individual tour accommodations).

An opportunity to hear from world-renowned doctors, researchers and radiation oncologists whose work has been directly impacted by OneWalk to Conquer Cancer.

THE ONEWALK INSIDER TOUR

HOW TO ATTEND THE ONEWALK INSIDER TOUR

The OneWalk Insider Tour is open to everyone: Walkers, potential Walkers, family, friends and donors! Tours generally run February Through August on weekdays from 5-7 p.m.

CONNECT WITH US

Since 2003, more than $172 million raised by Walk participants have supported vital cancer research and clinical trials to deliver future care now at Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, one of the top 5 cancer research centres in the world.

Breast cancer researchers have mapped early genetic alterations in normal-looking cells at various distances from primary tumours to show how changes along the lining of mammary ducts can lead to disease.